Sound-reproducing device.



J. G. ENGLlSH.

SOUND REPRODUGING DEVICE.

APPLIUATION FILE]?! JULY 19. 1906. v

Patented Jan.25, 1910.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

I Mmim INVENTIOR Jb/rrrdfi 05/1 Y /m WITNESSES:

HTTORK EY.

J. G, ENGLISH.

SOUND REPRODUGING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19. 1906.

Patented J an. 25, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' lNVENTOR JM/105fl i /z. B Y

WTNESSES A TTOR NE Y.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. ENGLISH, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO VICTOR TALKING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SOUND-REPROD'UCING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 1910.

Application filed July 19, 1906. Serial No. 326,827.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. ENGLISH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Camden, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sound-Reproducing Devices, of which the following is a full, complete, and exact disclosure.

My invention relates to sound reproducing devices and especially to those devices which are used to augment or amplify the sounds which are being reproduced from a record.

The object of my invention is to dispense with the ordinary megaphone, sound amplifying-trumpet, or horn which is usually used to amplify the sounds reproduced by talking machines, and to increase the volume of the tones by means of an amplifier having sound boards which are caused to vibrate in sympathy with the vibration of the air conducted between the same from the sound conveying tube.

A further object of my invention is to convey the vibrations from the reproducer to the sound amplifying device without loss,

and then to allow the said vibrations to emerge between the sound boards of the amplifier.

A further object of my invention is to support the amplifier at one end only so that the sound boards may be free to respond to the vibrations imparted to them from the sound reproducer.

A further object of my invention is to make the sound boards used in connection with my sound amplifying device resonant in order to cause the same to readily vibrate in sympathy with the air inclosed between the same.

Other objects of my invention will appear in the specification and claims below.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar parts are referred to by the same reference characters, Figure 1 illustrates a sound reproducing device provided with my improved sound amplifier, the main portions of the same being shown in cross section; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my improved sound augmenting device; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the method employed by me to make the sound boards of the sound amplifying device resonant, and Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the method of .of'the major portion 0 constructing the inner sides of my improved device. 7

Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of this invention comprises a casing or talking machine cabinet 1 upon the top of which is the housing 2, which contains the turntable 3, the reproducer 4 and the swinging arm 5. The larger end of the tapering swinging reproducer arm 5 is pivoted as at 6 to a hollow bushing 7 which communicates with the smaller end 8 of a hollow bracket, or elbow 9, the opposite end of which is adapted to support my sound amplifying device 10.

The bracket 9 or sound conductor consists of a rigid hollow structure, curved longi tudinally through an arc of about 90 degrees, the smaller end of which is provided with a plate 11 integral therewith by which the same is rigidly secured by means of screws 14: to the thick partition 12 which supports the talking machine motor 13. The smaller end of the opening in this bracket is substantially circular in cross section and registers with the circular opening in the bushing 7 and, from the point of connection between the bushing and the bracket, this bracket increases in size and terminates in anenlarged rectangular oblong outwardly flaring socket 15. The opening through the bracket also increases in transverse sectional area downwardly and gradually changes in shape from circular at its upper end, to the oblong shape of the socket at its lower end. I make this bracket 9 very rigid,. so that the same will not be set into vibration by the sounds conveyed therethrough, by rigidly securing the same to the thick top 12 of the cabinet, and

by bracing the same by webs 16, 17 at the front and back sides of the same respec-.

tively. If desired, the bracket may be made of such proportions that the bracing is unnecessary to prevent the vibration of the same. I preferably make the bracket ,8 of metal, since a metal bracket may be made 'sufiiciently rigid for my purposes, but any material may be employed by me so long as the same will resist the tendency to vibrate in sympathy with the vibrations of the air contained thereinv and support the sound boards;

Within the veying bracket 9, I sup ort the smaller end my sound amplifylarger end of the sound con-' from their point I amplifying ingdevice, the same consisting of a hollow flattened taperin body 10, having resonant wooden sides. 'Iie top and bottom sides 18 and 19 of this body, aretmade of thin resonant substantially flat wooden boards, the outer edges of which overlap and are secured in any suitable manner to the edges of vertically arranged substantially fiat wooden su orting boards 20, 21.

0 top and bottom sound boards 18, 19 are spaced apart from each other and may be substantially parallel, or may diver e of attachment with t e rigid bracket-9, but the vertical sides of the resonant 'body preferably diverge considerably, the outer ends of the same being spaced apart nearly the full width of the talking machine cabinet. a

While the four sides of the body of the device, may be made thin and resonant, refer to make the upper and 1 lower sound cards, 18, 19, of thin resonant material, and the sides 20, 21 of thick and comparatively non-resonant material.

To give a pleasing resonant quality to the upper and lower sound boards 18, 19-, I construct the same in the manner indicated in- Fig. 3; thatis to say, I build up and glue together aseries of boards 22, so that the sound board which is to be formed from the same will cross the lines upon which the boards 22 are glued together 'at an acute angle, as plainl shown in said Fig. 3. I then saw or ot erwise cut out of the series of boards 22 glued together, the sound boards 19 or 20, as the case may be, with the result that the finished sound boards are composed of a lurality of sections of wood, cut parallel to the grain, the said pieces belng glued together for a considerable distance, notwithstanding the fact that the finished sound board is very thin. As plainly shown in all the figures and as above described, the sound boards may be described as bein composed of a structure composed of "uIastantlally overlappin scarfed wooden strips, the direction 0 the grain thereof, being transverse to the length of the resonator.

If desired, I may make the sides 20, 21 of wooden strips similar to the sides 18, 19, as plainly shown in Fig. 4, although the'sides 20, 21 may be thick and non-resonant as above described.

I have found that a sound amplifying device constructed and arranged 1n the manner above described, eflects a loud and mellow, but brilliant reproduction of the sound, in addition to taking-up less space than that which is'ordinarily required in the amplifyin' horns usually employed in connection.

upper and lower sound boards are nearly parallel, will-effect as loud a reproduction of the sound as a megaphone or an ordinary tapering horn 12 inches across the bell thereof, and that the sound reproduced is of a much more pleasing quality than that from I a born or megaphone of the ordinary type above referred to. m

The sound waves set into vibration by the reproducer are transmitted through the rigid swinging sound conveying tube 5 and through the rigid bracket 9, out and between i the thin resonant sound boards of my imroved sound amplifying device, these oards being set into sympathetic vibration with and by the waves being conducted .therethrough and by the vibration of these sound boards, the sounds corresponding to the vibrations being reproduced, are greatly augmented or amplified. By thus using in' the talking machine an amplifier comprisin a tapering longitudinally curved rigid bracket having an openin therethrough which is substantially circu ar at its inlet end and oblong at its outlet end which opens between the transversely oblong body portion of the amplifier, it is possible to convey the sound waves from the sound box to the resonant body of the amplifier without loss of energy, and to utilize, with a high degree of efliclency, comparatively broad sound boards, without taking up much space vertically in the cabinet of the machine. By making the bod of the amplifier oblong and comparatively road horizontally but narrow vertically, it is thought that a desirable quality is obtained in reproducing sound.

Although only one form has been herein illustrated in which this invention may be embodied, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the construction shown without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Havin thus described my invention, what I c aim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a talking machine, the combination with a vertical cabinet, of a hollow, longitudinally curved rigid support rigidly sesupport and communicating therewith, and

a reproducer communicating with the other end of said bracket.

2 In a talking machine, the combination with a vertical cabinet having an opening in one side thereof, of a hollow, rigid longitudinally curved bracket rigidly secured to said cabinet and dependlng downwardly therein, -a hollow sound amplifier oblong in transverse section entirely supported at one 60 t municating with said body.

fier terminating jacent the opening in the side thereof, and a re roducer connecting with the other end of said bracket.

3. In a talking machine, the combination with a reproducer, of a sound amplifying device comprising a plurality of strips extending transversely of said body, and having overlapping edges forming a substantially scar-fed sound board 4. In a talking machine, the combination with a reproducer, of a sound amplifying device comprising a plurality of strips in the same plane and having acute overlapping edges forming a substantially scarfed sound board.

5. In a talking machine, the combination with a casing, of a ri id hollow bracket secured at one end to said casing, said" bracket being provided with a substantially circular opening at one end, and with an oblong opening at its opposite end, and a sound amplifier of oblong transverse section secured over said oblong opening and entirely supported by said bracket.

6. In a talkin machine, the combination with a-casing, o a rigid hollow bracket secured at one end to said casing and de ending downwardly therein, said bracket eing rovided with a substantially circular'opening atits upper end, and with an oblong opening fier of oblong transverse section within said casing, secured over said oblong opening and entirely sup orted by said bracket.

7. In a ta king machine, the combination with an inclosing casing, of a sound amplifying device comprising a hollow body, a reproducer, and a rigid hollow bracket connecting the reproducer and the hollow body and having an end oblon in cross section rigidly supporting said bo y at one end.

8. In a talking machine, the combination with an inclosing casing, of a sound amplifyin device comprising a flattened tapering ho low resonant body rectangular in cross section, a rigid hollow bracket communicating therewitand having a transversely obend supporting said body at one end,

a a reproducer communicating with said bracket.-

9. In a talking machine, the combination with an inclosing cabinet, of a reproducer, a hollow body having sides adapted to vibrate sympathetically with the sounds passing through said body, and a rigid hollow bracket connectin the re roducer and the said body and having an 0 long outlet com- 10. In a talking machine, the combination with a reproducer of a sound amplitying at its lower end, and a sound amplidevice comprising a hollow body substantially in the form, of a truncated pyramid and having scarfed sides, extending transversely of said body and means to support said body at its'smaller end. 7

11. In a talking machine, extending transversely of said body a sound amplifying device comprising a hollow body-substantially in the form of a truncated pyramid and having scarfed resonant sides extending transversely of said body, and means to support said body rigidly at its smaller end.

12. In a talking machine, the combination with an inclosing cabinet, of a sound amplifier having scarfed resonant sides extending transversely of said body, said amplifier being mounted at one end, and a reproducer communicating with the said mounted end of the said amplifier.

13. The combination in a talking machine, ot a casing, a motor, a turntable and a sound conveying tube, all inclosed within said casing, of a resonator oblong in cross section, also inclosed within said casing and located'beneath said motor, and a hollow rigid bracket havin an oblong end communicatingwith said resonator.

14. In a talking machine, an amplifier comprising a hollow sound conveying rigid bracket, a sound box communicating with one end of said bracket and a resonator communicating with the'other end of said bracket.

15. In a talking machine, the combination with a cabinet, of a transversely oblong hollow amplifying body in said cabinet, and a hollow rigid bracket having a transversely oblong end supporting one end of said body and communicating therewith.

16. In a talkin machine, the combination with a cabinet, 0% amplifying means within said cabinet comprising a hollow transversely oblong body having substantially fiat resonant sides, and a rigid bracket rigidly secured within said cabinet and having a ta ering opening therethrough, one end of said opening being substantially oblong transversely and communicating with said hollow body:

17. In a talking machine, the combination with a cabinet, of a hollow transversely ob lon amplifying body within said cabinet, an a hollow rigid bracket rigidly supported in said cabinet and having one end provided with a substantially oblong socket supporting said body.

18. In a talking machine, the combination with a cabinet, of a hollow longitudinally curved support'rigidly secured to said cabinet and-extending downwardly therein, a sound amplifier comprising a hollow resona-nt body entirely supported at one end by one end of said support and communieating therewith, and a reproducer communicating with the other end of said support. a

19. In a talking machine, the combination with a casing, of a rigid hollow bracket secured at one end to said casing, said bracket being provided with a' substantially circular opening at one end and with an oblong opening at its opposite end, and a hollow resonant sound amplifier oblong in transverse section communlcating'with said bracket through the oblong opening therein and entirely supported by said bracket.

20. In a talking machine, the combination with a casing, of a hollow longitudinally curved rigid bracket rigidl secured to said cabinet and depending .d ownwardly therein, a hollow resonant sound amplifier entirely supported at one end by one end of said bracketand communicating therewith, and extending in a substantially horizontal direction therefrom, and a reproducer communicating with the other end of said bracket, said amplifier being entirely inclosed by saidcasing but out of-contact therewith.

21. In a talking machine, the combination with a casing, of a hollow rigid bracketrigidly secured to said cabinet and extend ing downwardly therein and terminating in an oblong socket, and a resonant hollow sound amplifier having an oblong end secured in said oblong socket.

22. In a talking machine, an inclosure, the combination with a reproducer of an amplifier comprising a hollow, rigid, substantially non-vibratory sound conductor rigidly mounted within said inclosure, said reproducer communicating one end of said conductor, and a sounding board entirely inclosed within said inclosure and communicating with the other end of said conductor.

23. In a talking machine, the combination with an inclosure of a hollow amplifying body substantially rectangular in cross section, and a hollow rigid sound conducting member secured within and to said inclosure and communicating with the interior of said body 24. In a talking machine, the combination with an inclosure of a reproducing mechanism, a swinging arm communicating with said reproducing mechanism and pivotally mounted within said inclosure, a hollow wooden amplifier substantially rectangular in cross section inclosed by said inclosure, and a rigid sound conductingmember secured within said inclosure and provided with an opening extending through said member, one end of said opening being circular and communicating with said swinging arm and the opposite end ofsaid opensound ing bein rectangular and communicating with sai am lifier.

25. In a ta king machine, the combination with an inclosureof a. reproducing mechanism, a swingin arm secured thereto and pivotally mounted in said inclosure, an amplifier mounted within said inclosure and comprising a wooden hollow portion substantially rectangular in cross-section and a heavy substantially non-vibratory metallic portion secured to said inclosure, said heavy portion having an opening therethrough, said openin communicating with said swinging arm, and rectangular at its other end and communicating with said amplifier.

26. In a talking machine, the combination with a casin of a hollow rigid'sound conducting mem er secured to said casing and being circular at one end and in a. rectangular end, and a hollow soun amplifier having a rectangular end "communicating with the said rectangular end of 9 said sound conducting member.

27. In a talking machine, the combination of a cabinet provided with. a sound outlet opening, sound reproducing means within said cabinet, a rigid hollow substantially nonvibratory sound conducting member mountedwithin said cabinet and havin one end in communication with said repr ucer and a sounding board mounted -wlthin said cabinet and arranged between the other end of said sound-conducting member and said openin m said cablnet. a

28. n a talking machine, the combination of a cabinet, a sound reproducin' mechanism within said cabinet, a ri hollow substantially non-vibratory soun conducting member secured within said cabinet, and a plurality of spaced soundin boards mounted within said cabinet, with t e space between said boards communicating with said openin in said conductor, said cabinet being provi ed with an opening adjacent the outer ends of said sounding boards.

29. Ina talking machine, the combination with a cabinet, a motor, a sound reproducer, and a sound conveyer, inclosed within said cabinet, of a substantiall' rectangular hollow sound amplifying y mounted within and stationary with respect to said cabinet,

one of the outer sides of said body being a sounding board.

30. In a talking machine, the combination with a cabinet of a substantially rectangular hollow sound amplifying body mounted within said cabinet, one of the outer sides of said body being a sounding board, and a. rigid non-vibratory sound conductor, said hollow body being supported at one end only by said conductor.

31. In a talking machine, the combination s in Letters Patent No. 947,227.

Correction with sound reproducing means, of a stationary amplifier, the major portion of which has cross sectional axes of substantially different lengths connected therewith, and an inclosure embracing the major portion of the amplifier. v

32.. In a talking machine, the combination with sound reproducing means, of a stationary amplifier, the major portion of which is oblong in cross section connected therewith, i

and an inclosure, the major portion of the amplifier being mounted within said inclosure in a fixed position.

The combination with sound reproducing means, of a cooperating amplifier having a curved throat and diverging side walls, an inclosure embracing the major portion of the throat and walls of said amplifier, said inclosure being provided with an opening opposite the delivery end of said amplifier, said delivery end being out of engagement with and unattached to said inclosure.

34. In combination with sound reproduc= means, of a flattened amplifier located be ow said reproducing means, and means to convey the sound from said reproducer to said amplifier.

35. The combination with sound reproducing means, of an amplifier the axes of the major portion of which are of substantially different lengths, and substantially non-vibratory means to conduct the sound from said reproducing means to said amplifier.

36. The combination with sound reproducing means, of an amplifier oblong in cross section and'located below said sound reproducing means and means to conduct the sound from said sound reproducing means to said amplifier.

It is hereby certified that in Letters improvement in inserted, and line 62, the word words the combination with a reproducer,

[SEAL l l 1 l Patent No. 947,227, granted January 25, 1910, upon the application of John C. English, of Camden, New Jersey, for an Sound-Reproducing Devioes,-errors appear in the printed specification requiring correctiom as follows: P read One, same page, line 61, before the word tapering should be stricken out; page 3, lines 69-70, the words extending transversely of said body should be stricken out and the .of be inserted instead; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 22d day of February, A. D.,

37. The combination with sound reproducing means, of a plurality of sounding boards spaced apart from each other and lo cated below said sound reproducing means and means to conduct the sound from said reproducing means between said sounding boards.

38. The combination with sound reproducing means of a cooperating amplifier, and an inclosure entirely embracing said sound reproducing means and supporting said amplifier at one end only, said inclosure being provided with an opening in a side thereof and adjacent the delivery end of said amplifier 39. The combination with sound reproducing means, of a coiiperating amplifier, an inclosure entirely embracing said sound reproducing means and said amplifier and supporting said amplifier at one end only, said inclosure being provided with an open ing in a side thereof and adjacent the delivery end of said amplifier, and a closure for said opening.

.40. The combination with sound reproducing means, of a cotiperating amplifier having a substantially non-vibratory smaller end and a vibratory larger end, an inclosure entirely inclosing said sound reproducing means and said amplifier and rigidly supporting said amplifier at its smaller end only.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of July, A. D. 1906.

JOHN G. ENGLISH.

Witnesses:

ALSTON B. MOULTON, ALEXANDER PARK.

may conform o. o. BI'LLINGS,

Acting Commissioner f Patents.

and said amplifier,

s in Letters Patent No. 947,227.

Correction with sound reproducing means, of a stationary amplifier, the major portion of which has cross sectional axes of substantially different lengths connected therewith, and an inclosure embracing the major portion of the amplifier. v

32.. In a talking machine, the combination with sound reproducing means, of a stationary amplifier, the major portion of which is oblong in cross section connected therewith, i

and an inclosure, the major portion of the amplifier being mounted within said inclosure in a fixed position.

The combination with sound reproducing means, of a cooperating amplifier having a curved throat and diverging side walls, an inclosure embracing the major portion of the throat and walls of said amplifier, said inclosure being provided with an opening opposite the delivery end of said amplifier, said delivery end being out of engagement with and unattached to said inclosure.

34. In combination with sound reproduc= means, of a flattened amplifier located be ow said reproducing means, and means to convey the sound from said reproducer to said amplifier.

35. The combination with sound reproducing means, of an amplifier the axes of the major portion of which are of substantially different lengths, and substantially non-vibratory means to conduct the sound from said reproducing means to said amplifier.

36. The combination with sound reproducing means, of an amplifier oblong in cross section and'located below said sound reproducing means and means to conduct the sound from said sound reproducing means to said amplifier.

It is hereby certified that in Letters improvement in inserted, and line 62, the word words the combination with a reproducer,

[SEAL l l 1 l Patent No. 947,227, granted January 25, 1910, upon the application of John C. English, of Camden, New Jersey, for an Sound-Reproducing Devioes,-errors appear in the printed specification requiring correctiom as follows: P read One, same page, line 61, before the word tapering should be stricken out; page 3, lines 69-70, the words extending transversely of said body should be stricken out and the .of be inserted instead; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 22d day of February, A. D.,

37. The combination with sound reproducing means, of a plurality of sounding boards spaced apart from each other and lo cated below said sound reproducing means and means to conduct the sound from said reproducing means between said sounding boards.

38. The combination with sound reproducing means of a cooperating amplifier, and an inclosure entirely embracing said sound reproducing means and supporting said amplifier at one end only, said inclosure being provided with an opening in a side thereof and adjacent the delivery end of said amplifier 39. The combination with sound reproducing means, of a coiiperating amplifier, an inclosure entirely embracing said sound reproducing means and said amplifier and supporting said amplifier at one end only, said inclosure being provided with an open ing in a side thereof and adjacent the delivery end of said amplifier, and a closure for said opening.

.40. The combination with sound reproducing means, of a cotiperating amplifier having a substantially non-vibratory smaller end and a vibratory larger end, an inclosure entirely inclosing said sound reproducing means and said amplifier and rigidly supporting said amplifier at its smaller end only.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of July, A. D. 1906.

JOHN G. ENGLISH.

Witnesses:

ALSTON B. MOULTON, ALEXANDER PARK.

may conform o. o. BI'LLINGS,

Acting Commissioner f Patents.

and said amplifier,

Corrections in Letters Patent No. 947,227.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 947,227, granted January 25, 1910, upon the application of John C. English, of Camden, Nen Jersey, for an improvement in Sound-Reproducing Devices, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: Page 1, line 13', the word The should read One; same page, line 61, before the word swing the word tapering should be inserted,and line 62, the word tapering should be stricken out; page 3, lines 69-70,

the words extending transversely of said body should be stricken out and the to the record of the ease in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 22d day of February, A. D., 1910.

[SEAL] (J. C. BILLINGS,

Acting Commissioner 13/ Patents. 

